Olive Garden trying to get diners back after sales drop

Italian restaurant chain Olive Garden says, “When you’re here, you’re family,” but in recent years, it’s been more like a dysfunctional family, struggling with dipping sales and a mixed reputation, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The restaurant’s parent company, Darden (also the owner of Red Lobster), acknowledged that they let Olive Garden get into a rut, but that they’re expecting a comeback, according to the Tribune. With Olive Garden making up nearly half of the company’s sales, they need it.

Consumerist is cautiously hesitant, expecting perhaps more cheap gimmicks to come with the revamp of Olive Garden.

“One strategy will be to get rid of those ads with families that are just over the goshdarn moon to be lucky enough to eat at Olive Garden,” the blog said. “No word on what kind of campaign will replace it, but let’s hope it’s not a couple of sassy galpals gabbing about love, loss, unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks, either.”